Tobacco Industry Essay
The tobacco industry continues to abuse the ethics of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to change their public image, whilst also attempting to achieve their goals. This is evident in the ways the industry manipulates data and targets youth smokers. This could be characterised by the analysis of the transparency, dignity and citizenship principles of the Global Business Standards Codex (GBSC).
The manipulation of data by the tobacco industry expresses the abuse of the transparency principle, demonstrating their involvement in deception. The tobacco industry has utilised its economic power, political influence, marketing and manipulation of the media to discredit scientific research and, lobby governments to propagate the sale and distribution of its deadly product (Friedman 2009). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the tobacco industry has utilised their power to undermine tobacco control through inappropriate relationships with staff, to discourage initiatives, and using front groups for indirect influence.
In a historic judgement, United States (US) District Judge Gladys Kessler, ordered tobacco makers to buy newspaper advertisements detailing adverse health effects in smoking. Justice Kessler in her judgement blamed the tobacco companies of suppressing research, destroying documents, distorting the truth about low-tar and light cigarettes to encourage smokers to switch, instead of quitting, and abused the legal system in order to make profit with disregard to the individual suffering, high health costs and integrity of the US legal system (Schoenberg 2006).
WHO cites instances where they employed a multitude of tactics to effect change to the tobacco industry (Chan 2012). Furthermore the tobacco industry makes heavy financial contributions into worldwide social programs to create a positive image under the guise of CSR. A tobacco free initiative report states the attempts by the tobacco industry to enhance its public image, particularly
The manipulation of data by the tobacco industry expresses the abuse of the transparency principle, demonstrating their involvement in deception. The tobacco industry has utilised its economic power, political influence, marketing and manipulation of the media to discredit scientific research and, lobby governments to propagate the sale and distribution of its deadly product (Friedman 2009). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the tobacco industry has utilised their power to undermine tobacco control through inappropriate relationships with staff, to discourage initiatives, and using front groups for indirect influence.
In a historic judgement, United States (US) District Judge Gladys Kessler, ordered tobacco makers to buy newspaper advertisements detailing adverse health effects in smoking. Justice Kessler in her judgement blamed the tobacco companies of suppressing research, destroying documents, distorting the truth about low-tar and light cigarettes to encourage smokers to switch, instead of quitting, and abused the legal system in order to make profit with disregard to the individual suffering, high health costs and integrity of the US legal system (Schoenberg 2006).
WHO cites instances where they employed a multitude of tactics to effect change to the tobacco industry (Chan 2012). Furthermore the tobacco industry makes heavy financial contributions into worldwide social programs to create a positive image under the guise of CSR. A tobacco free initiative report states the attempts by the tobacco industry to enhance its public image, particularly